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What
Is Pharyngitis?

Pharyngitis is inflammation of the pharynx, which is in the back
of the throat. It’s most often referred to simply as “sore throat.” Pharyngitis
can also cause scratchiness in the throat and difficulty swallowing.

According to the American
Osteopathic Association (AOA), pharyngitis-induced sore throat is one of
the most common reasons for doctor visits. More cases of pharyngitis occur
during the colder months of the year. It’s also one of the most common reasons
why people stay home from work. In order to properly treat a sore throat, it’s
important to identify its cause. Pharyngitis may be caused by bacterial or
viral infections.

Causes
of Pharyngitis

There are numerous viral and bacterial agents that can cause
pharyngitis. They include:

measles

adenovirus, which is the cause of the common
cold

chickenpox

croup, which is a childhood illness
distinguished by a barking cough

whooping cough

Viruses are the most common cause of sore throats. Pharyngitis is
most commonly caused by viral infections such as the common cold, influenza, or
mononucleosis.
Viral infections don’t respond to antibiotics, and treatment is only necessary
to help relieve symptoms.

Less commonly, pharyngitis is caused by a bacterial infection.
Bacterial infections require antibiotics. The most common bacterial infection
of the throat is strep throat, which is caused by Group A streptococcus.
Rare causes of bacterial pharyngitis include gonorrhea, chlamydia, and
corynebacterium.

Frequent exposure to colds and flus can increase your risk for
pharyngitis. This is especially true for people with jobs in healthcare, allergies,
and frequent sinus infections. Exposure to secondhand smoke may also raise your
risk.

What
Are the Symptoms of Pharyngitis?

The symptoms that accompany pharyngitis vary depending on the
underlying condition.

In addition to a sore, dry, or scratchy throat, a cold or flu may
cause:

sneezing

runny nose

headache

cough

fatigue

body aches

chills

fever (a low-grade fever with a cold and higher-grade
fever with the flu)

In addition to a sore throat, the symptoms of mononucleosis
include:

swollen lymph nodes

severe fatigue

fever

muscles aches

general malaise

loss of appetite

rash

Strep throat, another type of pharyngitis, can also cause:

difficulty in swallowing

red throat with white or gray patches

swollen lymph nodes

fever

chills

loss of appetite

nausea

unusual taste in the mouth

general malaise

How
Is Pharyngitis Diagnosed?

Physical Exam

If you’re experiencing symptoms of pharyngitis, your doctor will
look at your throat. They’ll check for any white or grey patches, swelling, and
redness. Your doctor may also look in your ears and nose. To check for swollen
lymph nodes, they will feel the sides of your neck.

Throat Culture

If your doctor suspects that you have strep throat, they will likely
take a throat culture. This involves using a cotton swab to take a sample of
the secretions from your throat. Most doctors are able to do a rapid strep test
in the office. This test will tell your doctor within a few minutes if the test
is positive for streptococcus. In some cases, the swab is sent to a
lab for further testing and results are not available for at least 24 hours.

Blood Tests

If your doctor suspects another cause of your pharyngitis, they
may order blood work. A small sample of blood from your arm or hand is drawn and
then sent to a lab for testing. This test can determine whether you have
mononucleosis. A complete blood count (CBC) test may be done to determine if
you have another type of infection.

Home
Care and Medication

Home Care

If a virus is causing your pharyngitis, home care can help
relieve symptoms. Home care includes:

drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration

eating warm broth

gargling with warm salt water (1 tsp. salt per 8
oz. water)

using a humidifier

resting until you feel better

For pain and fever relief, consider taking over-the-counter
medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Throat
lozenges may also be helpful in soothing a painful, scratchy throat.

Alternative remedies are sometimes used to treat pharyngitis.
However, you should contact your doctor before using them to avoid drug
interactions or other health complications. Some of the most commonly used
herbs include:

honeysuckle

licorice

marshmallow root

sage

slippery elm

Medical Treatment

In some cases, medical treatment is necessary for pharyngitis.
This is especially the case if it’s caused by a bacterial infection. For such
instances, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. According to the Mayo
Clinic, penicillin is the most commonly prescribed treatment for sore throat.
It’s important that you take the entire course of antibiotics to prevent the
infection from returning or worsening. An entire course of these antibiotics
usually lasts seven to 10 days.

Pharyngitis
Prevention

Maintaining proper hygiene can prevent many cases of pharyngitis.

To prevent pharyngitis:

avoid sharing food, drinks, and eating utensils

avoid individuals who are sick

wash your hands often, especially before eating
and after coughing or sneezing

use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and
water aren’t available

avoid smoking and inhaling secondhand smoke

Outlook

Most cases of pharyngitis can be successfully treated at home.
However, there are some symptoms that require a doctor visit for further
evaluation.